Brake and power interlock



Sept. 22, 1931. J. B. GROSSWEGE BRAKE AND POWER INTERLOCK Filed July 9. 1929 9 i Q m U C. oh

ATTORNEY INVENTOR JOHN B.GROSSWEGE 9W VD Om; 22: E60 5 on? r 1 0 3 oomwmm mm WV 5 we x w ow o: n: Om an 8 r n0 mm mm MG 78 .0 w? TT 06 mm ho m9 Q I \\m MQ Q w m 1 0M Gm Q I. "ND llwm, WW M K s 1 a m2 m w n m Patented Sept. 22, E531 series JOHN B. GROSSWEGE, OF EDGEWOUD, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSKGNDB To THE TESTING- HOUSE AIR BRAKE COMFANY, OF WILMEEDING, PENNSYLVANIA, A GCRPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA Application filed July 9,

moves his hand from the controller handle j when the controller is in power on position, the main power circuit is opened so as to cut oil power to the traction motors.

The circuit breaker, or line switch for the power circuit is usually installed underneath the our floor, and a pneumatically operated switch device for controlling a secondary circuit of the circuit breaker, is associated wit 1 the emergency valve of the equipment, so that when the emergencyvalve is actuated, the secondary circuit will be broken, thereby operating the circuit breaker to open the main power circuit. 7

i-is is well known with the elect-ro -pneumatic safety car equipment, after a dead mains, or controller handle emergency, the emergency valve returns to release position, and. the pneumatically operated switch device is also closed.

In one type of control, the equipment is provided with a reset switch which is located in the motormans compartment, and the main power circuit can not be closed after a dead mans emergency, until the reset switch has been operated in the well known manner.

In another type of control, the cars are not provided with a reset switch, and the present invention relates to this type of equipment. 7

Heretoiore, so far as I-am aware of, in the construction of electropneum'aticsafety car equipment, he means have been provided for preventing the closing of the main power line circuit breaker or line switches when the emer 'ency valve returns to re- 'e se position 'arter a dead mans or controller handle emergency.

it, after acontroller handle emergency, the circuit breaker is closed while the controller is in a power on position, power AND POW'E-R INTE-RLOCK 1929. Serial No. arm-o2. f

power circuit can be closed, after the circuit ts has been broken by a dead mans or controller handle emergency. 7 V

An object of the invention is to provide an improved electropneumatic safety car equipment in which means are provided tort-o preventing the closing of the power circuit after a controller handle emergency until the controller handle is moved to power of? position.

Another obj vide a safety car equipment in which the power circuit is provided with an electrically operated circuit breaker adapted to auto- 'matically open the circuit when the controller handle ei'nergency applicationot th brakes is effected and which can not be actuated to again close the circuit until the controller handle is moved to power off position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved safety car equipment of the character mentioned which is relatively simple in construction, and reliable and exact in function under all conditions of service. 7

The invention also comprises certain new and useful improvements in the construction, arrangement-and combination of the several parts of which it is composed, as

will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed. I

In the accompanylng draw1ng,the single figure is a diagranmiatic view, mostly insection of a 'safet rear e ui mentembod in 7 p I i emergency valve device 8, a service magnet valve device 9, a release magnet valve devie 10, an interlock switch device 1 1,'a main reservoir '12, a brake cylinder 13, and a main power circuit control device 14. Current for ope ating tl e equipment may he sup- "10o ect of the invention is to pro- L5 plied from any suitable source, such as a trolley wire 15.

The brake valve device 6 may be of any approved type adapted to control the application. and release of the brakes through electrically and pneumatically operated means, and for this purpose the brake valve device is electrically connected with the service magnet valve device 9, the release magnet valve device 10, the interlock switch device 11 and the circuitcontrol device 14, and pneumatically connected with the electric controller operating device 7 and the emergency valve device 8, in the manner to be hereinafter more fully described. Formed as a part of the brake valve device is an electric switch 5 comprising a contact drum, shown developed, and having contacts 66, 67, 105 and 106.

As shown, the electric controller operating device 7 may comprise a handle casing provided with a pocket 17 within which the controller handle 18 is adapted to be inserted. The handle 18 is pivotally mounted on a transversely disposed pin 16 in such a manner as to be easily detached from the controller and applied in position thereon in the usual .way.

A bell crank lever 19, pivotally mounted at 20 to the controller C a portionof which is shown developed), has one arm 21 which is adapted to engage the stem of a pilot .valve 22 mounted in a bracket'23, and another arm 24 which is adapted to be engaged by a plunger 25 mounted in the handle casing. I A .coil spring 26 acts on the plunger 25 and tends to force the plunger into engagement with the lever arm 24.

-a forked end 27, the prongs of which are adapted to engage beneaththe head 28 of the plunger 25 when in operating position.

. The emergency valve device 8 may comprise a casing having a piston chamber 29 connected through a passage 30 with a con- I trol pipe 31 and containing a piston 32 and a valve chamber 33 connected by passage and pipe 34 to the main reservoir 12 and 9 containing a slide valve 35 adapted to be operated by piston 32.

Pipe 31 leads toa chamber 36 in which comprise a magnet 41 and valves 42 and 43 The controller handle 18 is provided with,

adapted to be controlled by said magnet. One terminal of the magnet 41 is connected to a terminal contact 60 of the brake valve switch device 5, by a conductor 61, while the other terminal of said magnet is connected to a ground 62.

The interlock switch device 11 may comprise a hollow casing containing a piston 44, the stem of which is provided with a contact member 45 for engaging spring fin gers 46 and 47, so as to normally close the circuit from the trolley 15 through the control device 14 in the manner to be hereinafter desc'ibed. A spring 48 acts on one side of the piston 44 so as to normally maintain said piston in its outer position against a stop 49.

The power circuit control device 14 comprises a circuit breaker or line switch member 50, which is controlled by a relay coil 51 in a circuit A, from the brake valve switch 5 to the controller C.

The circuit of the operating coil 51 is controlled by a switch member 53, also in the circuit A. For the purpose of cont-rolling troller is in all positions, a switch member 56 is provided. The switch member 56 is connected to the switch member 50 so as to be operated therewith in the manner to be hereinafter more fully described.

Operation With the brake valve device 6 in release position and the controller handle 18 depressed by the operator, as shown in the drawing, current from the trolley wire 15 to the fact that relay coil 54 in the circuit B is energized, the circuit A will be closed and current will pass through the circuit breaker operating coil 51 to the ground 77, thereby energizing said coil.

Current supplied to the circuit A from the trolley wire 15 will also pass through the contact members 106 and 105 of the brake valve switch 5, and from thence through the conductor 61 to the magnet 41 of the release magnet valve device 10, and to the ground 62, thereby energizing the release magnet. However as the terminal contact 57 will be separated from the contact 66, magnet 38 will not beenergized.

Operating coil'51 being energized, the switch member 50 will be in engagement with the contacts 69 and 70, thereby closing the circuit from the trolley wire 15, through conductors 68-and 71 to the trac tion motors. Switch member 56 will also he :in engagement with the contacts 80 and 81 thereby c'omp'leting :the circuit :from the conductor 75 thrpugh conductors 82"and S3 to ground 84.

Magnet being energized, the valve 42 will be held seated and valve 4 3 will be =unsea1ted, so that the brake cylinder 13 will :be connected to exhaust port 85, through pipe andapassage 8.6, passage 87, valve chamher 88, bore 89 containing the :fluted stem of valve 48, chamber 90, passage 91,cavity 92 in theslide valve -35, I and passage '93 contain'ing a choke iplug 94.

'lvith the piston :32 of the: emergency val-ve supplied from the piston chamber 29 through passage 30 and pipe 31, the pilot valve-chamber 36, and frompipe 81 through pipe 3 to the brakevalve device 6. As long as the controller handle *l8 is manually held depressed, as: shown in the drawing, the pilot valve 22 will be maintainedseated rby itsspring, and the :fluid under pressure will be bottled up in chamber 36.

Magnet 38 of the service magnet valve device 9 being Clo-energized, the spring 107, acting on the valve 40, seats said valve and unseats the valve 39, thereby cutting oil the communication through bore 108' trom chamber 109 "to chamber 110. 7

When a service application of the brakes is made, the cont-act of the brake valve switch 5, is disconnected from theterminal contactfil), -thereby opening the circuit from the source of supply to the magnet 41 of the release magnet valve device 10.- The magnet '41 will therefore be deenergized.

On the other hand, terminalcontact 57 will be connected with the contact 66, thereby closing the circuit from the source of supply to the magnet'38 ofthe service-magnet valve device '9, and therefore magnet 38 will be'energi zed.

Deenergization of the magnet 41 permits the spring 111 to shift the valve 43 to its seat, thereby unseating the valve 42. lWith the valve 48 seated, the communication through which the brake cylinder 13 is vented to the atmosphere through the elvhaust port 85, is cut oil.

Energization of the .ma-gnet 38 seats the valve 39 and 'unseats the valve 40, and the The release anagnet '41 "remains deenergized ifluid under pressure is permitted to rflow .firom :the reservoir 12,.ithrough pipe and :passage "34, passage .3112, chamber 109, :past the open valve 40, and-through bore 1'08, to chamber 31 10, and from thence to the birake cylinderllfl, through passage 113,

past ball check valve 114 in chamber 115, and passage and pipe 86.

\Vhen the desired pressure has been obtained in the brake cylinder, the brake valve device 'is moved to :lap position, in which the terminal contact 57 is disconnected from the contact 66, thereby opening the circuit through which current is supplied to the magnet 38,'so that the service-magnetis deen- 'ergized. The spring 107, acting 'on'the valve 40, seatssald valve'and unseats the valve 39,

thus preventing the further supply of fluid *underpressure to the brake cylinder 13.

:in lap position, so that fluid under lPlQSSdlG is prevented from being vented 'to'the atmosphere.

' When it is desired to release the brakes,

the brake valve device is moved to release position, in which the'contact 105 is brought into engagement with the terminal contact 60, thereby closing the *circuit from the source of supply to @therelease magnet 41, and causing the energlzation of said magnet. Magnet 41 being energized, the valve 42 will lieseat'ed and the valve 43 unseated, as shown. in the "drawin The fluid under pressure will therefore exhaust to the atmosphere through pipe and passage 8 passage 8 valve chamber 88, past unseated valve 43, and'thence through bore 89,chamber 90, passage 91, cavity 92 in the slide valve 35, passage 9.8, and exhaust port 85,

the choke jplug'94 in passage 93 controlling.

and in which fiuidsfrom the pipe 37 :is por- 2.:

'mi ted to vent through the atmospheric opening 116 in the brake valve. I

The venting of fluid from pipe 37 causes the emergency piston 32 to be shifted to its outer position by the fluid pressure in valve chamber 33 and the slide valve is thus moved so as to uncover passage 11; and permit the supply of fluid under pressure from the reservoir 12 to the brake cylinder In'emergency position, a port 118 through slide valve 35,, registers with passage 96,so that fluid under pressure is supplied to piston 44 of the interlock switch device 11. Said piston is then shifted so as to disconnect the contact'member 45 from the springv fingers 46 and 47. In this way the circuit through conductor 55 to the relay coil 54 will be opened. Since in the emergency position of the brake valve device, the circuit.

terlock switch device 11, the circuit to saidcoil is closed at the brake valve switch 5, since the terminal contacts 57 and 65 engage the contact 67 in the emergency position of the brake valve device 67. In this way, under the above condition, the relay coil 54 is maintained energized in all positions of the brake valve device, since the interlock switch device 11 is maintained closed except when a manual emergency application of the brakes is effected while in the emergency position of the brake valve device, current will be supplied from the conductor 52 to the conductor 55 by contacts 106 and 67.

To release after an emergency application of the brakes, the brake valve device is returned to release position. In this position, the release magnet 41 is energized through the conductor 61.

The release magnet 41 being energized, the valve 43 is unseated and the brake cylinder passage 87 is connected to passage 91.

I IVith the emergency slide valve 35in emergency position,passage 117 leading from the brake cylinder 13, is open to the valve chamber 33, so that fluid under pressure is supplied from the reservoir 12 to passage 87 and thus to passage 91. Passage 91 is connected in emergency position of the slide valve 35, through cavity 92 with passage 30,

- so that the piston chamber 29 is charged with fluid under pressure through passage 102 leading from passage 30. Since passage leads to pipe 31, said pipe will also be charged with fluid under pressure. When the pressure in chamber 29 has been increased to a predetermined degree, the spring 100 shifts the piston 32 to release position, in which the brake cylinder 13 is connected to-the exhaust port 85, as hereinbefore described.

When the emergency slide valve is shifted to release position, piston chamber 95 of the interlock switch device 11 will also be connected to the exhaust port 85, through passage 96, valve cavity 97 and passages 98 and 93, and asthe pressure reduces in said piston chamber, the spring 48 shifts the piston 44 to the release. position, in which position the circuit through conductors 63 and 64 from circuit A to circuit B is again closed. r i r a As long as the operator holds the controller handle 18 down in'the position shown in the drawing, the operation will be the same as that of 'the'usual controller and the circuit through the power circuit control device 14 will be closed.

If, when the brake valve device -6 is in any position except its emergency position, the operator releases the handle 18, the spring 26 will immediately act to shift the plunger 25 downwardly, thereby causing the bell crank valve 22.

With the pilot valve 22 unseated, the fluid under pressure in piston chamber 29 is vented to the-atmosphere through passage 30, pipe 31, pilot valve chamber 36, and

lever 19 to open the pilot from thence through passage 103 to exhaust port 104.

The venting of fluid from' the piston chamber 29 causes the emergency piston 32 to be shifted to its outer position by the fluid pressure in valve chamber 33 and the slide valve 35 is thus moved so as to uncover passage 117 and permit the'supply of fluid under pressure from the reservoir 12 to the brake cylinder 13, thereby effecting an ap-' plication of the brakes.

With the piston 32 in emergency position, chamber 95 of the interlock switch device 11 will be supplied with fluid under pressure in the manner hereinbefore described, and therefore piston 44 will be shifted soas to disconnect the contact member 45 from the spring fingers 46 and 47, and thus open the circuit to the relay coil 54 of the power circuit control device 14.

With the relay coil 54 thus deenergized, the switch member 53 is disengaged from the switch contactsr72 and 74, thereby opening thecircuit to the circuit breaker operating coil $31, and causing said coil to be deener gize Deenergization of the coil 51 permits the spring 119 to shift the switch members and 56 out Of-engagement with the switch contacts 69 and 70, and 80 and 81, respectively, thereby opening the power circuit to the traction motors, as will be readily understood.

According to the present invention, in order to close the circuit through the power circuit control device 14, so as to again have power available at the traction motors, and assuming that the brake valve device 6 is in. release position, it is first necessary for the operator to return the controller handle 18 to the power off position, and to then depress said controller handle, as shown in the drawing, so as to permit the pilot valve 22 to seat, and thus close the atmospheric vent from the pipe 31.

With the pilot valve 22 seated, and with the emergency slide valve 35 in emergency nected in emergency position of the slide I valve 35, throughcavity 92 with passage 102, so that the piston chamber 29 is charged with fluid under pressure through passage 30 leadlngfrom;passage-102.. S1nce passage 30 leads to pipe 31, said. pipewill also be charged with fluid under: pressure, as has been previously described; When the pres-' sure in chamber 29'has been increased to a. predeterinlned degree, the spring 100 sh1fts the piston 32 to release position, in which:

the brake cylinder isconnected to: the exe haust port 85.

hen. the emergency slide valve 35 is shifted torelease position, piston chamber 95 oft-he interlock switch devicell will also be connected to the exhaust port 85, through. passage 96, valve cavity 97. and passages 98 and 93, and; as the pressure reduces 1n said piston chamber, the spring 48 shifts the piston 44 to the release position, in. WhlCli position: the contact: memberv 45 engagesthe spring fingers 46 and 47, thereby closing the Relay. coil 54 now being; energized, the

switch member 53 is moved into engagement, with the terminalzcontacts 72 and 74, thus closing the circuit through the conduotor'73:

to the circuit breaker operating coil 51- and thencethroughtheconductor 7 5-to theterminal;7 6 of; the power off positionof'the controller causing the coil 51 to be ener-' gized;.

With the circuit: breaker operatingcoilbl nowenergized, the switch members 50 and 56 will be moved into engagement with theswitchz contacts 69' and: 70 and. and 8 1 respectively, thereby closing. the circuit through the conductor 71. tothe controller, and also the circuit through the conductor: 83 to the ground 84.

It will be noted that the-purposeof the circuit through the switchmember-56, fromv conductor 75 to ground 84, is to provide means for-maintaining the circuit breaker operating coil 51 energized during the normal operation of the equipment.

hen. the controller handle 18 is 1n power off position, the circuit breaker operating coil circuit will. lead to the controller terminal 76,- which" is groundedat 77. However, when the controller handle 18 ismovedto oneof thepower 011? positions, terminal: 7 6 will be cut outof the circuit, and therefore the circuit: wlllilead through" the switch member 56 to ground! 84;

I cuit breaker operatingcmeans being operated:

@nthe other hand, in order to-restore the parts of the control device 14 to their normal. positions, afterthe circuit A has been openedi as the result of a dead mans'orcontroller handle emergency, it' is necessary to set the controller handle-18 at power. off position, so that. the grOund'T T. wiil be'avail able for completing the circuit from the conductorv 52'tlirough coil: 51 to the conductor'75; Otherwise-it willinot' be possible to energize the coil 51sothat switch members. 50 and 56 will close the circuits controlled respectively thereby. i

While one illustrative embodiment of th'e' invention has been describedin detail,.it is not my. intention to limit; its scope to that; embodiment or. otherwise thanby the terms. of the appended' claims.

Having now describedmy' invention, what I claiinas new' and desire to, secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A device of thc'class describedicomprising a power circuit, a controller handle,.a circuit breaker, and:electric 1neansforoperat-ing the circuit breaker to breakthe power: circuit when the operator releases the controller handle when: said; handle is in a. power on position, said circuit breaker" operating means being: operated; uponthe return. of' said handle to power off? position: to reset; the circuit breaker so as to close the power circuit.

2. A device of the ClELSSIdBSGITlbGdGOIHPI'IlSr ing a. power; circuit, a controller handle, a circuit" breaker, and electric means for auto:- matically' operating: the circuit breaker' to break. the power circuit when the operaton releases the controller handle when said handle is .in; a: power on? position, said cir.-'-

upon the return of: said handle to power off position to resett-he circuit breaker so as to close the:powercircuit.

3;. A deviceof the-class-.describedscomprising. a power circuit,. a controller handle, an electrically controlled. circuitmbrea-ker, andz electric means for operating: the circuit breaker to breakthepower circuitwhen the operator "releases the controller; handle whensaidhandle is in a; poweronl position, said circuit breaken'operating means being operated upon the returna of. said handle to." power off position to; reset" thecircuit breaker so as to close the power circuit.

, 4; A' deviceof, the class described. comprising a1 power circuit, a controller'handle, a circuit. breaker,.normally energized electrical ,means for maintaining the circuit breaker closed, and electric meansoperative.

when the operator releases the controller: handle when" said handle is'zin a. power on position for deenergizing said electricalmeans, whereby the circuit breaker is: operatedito open the power circuit.

5. A: device of the class describedcom=- 1-30 risin a )ower circuit a controller handle a circuit breaker, normally energizedelectrical means for maintaining the circuit breaker closed, and electric means operative when the operator releases. the controller handle when said handle is in a power on position for deenergizing said electrical means, whereby the circuit breaker is operated to open the power circuit, said electric means. being operative when the controller handle is moved .to power off position to energize said electrical means whereby the circuit breaker is operated to close the power circuit.

.6.':Ihe combination with'an electric circuit having a circuit breaker and a controller handle, of electrically operated means for opening the circuit breaker when the opers ator releases the controller handle when said handle is in a power on position and for closing the circuit breaker when the controller handle is returned to its power oil position.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with a power circuit anda controller handle, of electric means for controlling the power circuit whereby said power circuit is opened when the operator releases the controller handle when said handle is in a power on position, and electric means for closing the power circuit when the controller handle is returned to its power 01f position.

8. A device of the class described comprising a power circuit, a controller handle,

a circuit breaker, and electric means operative only when the controller handle is released by the operator when said handle is in a power off position for operating the circuit breaker to break the circuit, and

operated only when the controller handle is in power off position for operating the circuit breaker to close the power circuit.

9. A device of the class described comprising a power circuit, a controller handle,

and a circuit breaker for said power circuit adapted to automatically break the power circuit when the controller handle is released by the operator only while said handle is in a power on position and bination with a power circuit and a controller handle, of a circuit breaker, and elec trically'operated means comprising a con- .trolling circuit and an electrically operated switch adapted when opened to operate the circuit breaker to break the power circuit when the operator removes his hand from the controller handle when said handle is inrunning position.

12. In a safety car equipment, the combination with a power circuit and a controller handle, of a circuit breaker, and

means comprising a controlling circuit and.

anelectrically operated switch adapted when opened to operate the circuit breaker to break the power circuit when the operator removes his hand from the controller han- .dle when said handle is in running position and adapted whenclosed when the controller handle is moved to power off posi-. tion after the circuit has been opened, to operate the circuit breaker to close the power circuit.

13. In a safety car equipment, the com- I bination with a brake cylinder, main reservoir, emergency valve, power circuit, and controller handle, of means for opening the power circuit when the controller handle is released by the operator when said handle is in running position, comprising a'switch and electric means controlled by the emergency valve for opening said switch when said valve is actuated. and adapted to close said switch when the controller handle is moved to power off position after the power circuit is opened.

14. In a safety car equipment, the combination with a power circuit, a controller having a grounded terminal at power off position, and a controller handle, of a circuit breaker device having a circuit connection with said terminal when the controller handle is in power off position, and a sepa-v rate ground connection when the controller handle is positioned in other than the power off position.

15. A safety car equipment comprising a power circuit, a controller having a. grounded terminal, and means for controlling the power circuit comprising a switch, a coil for operating the switch, and electric means in a circuit connection to said cont-roller terminal for controlling the switch operating coil.

16. A safety car equipment comprising a power circuit, a controller having at poweroff position a grounded terminal, and means for controlling the power circuit comprising a switch, and a coil for operating the switch,

said coil being connected in a circuit through said controller terminal groundwhen the controller IS in power oif position and in a circuit through another ground when the controller is positioned in other than the power off position.

17. A vehicle power circuit controlling apparatus comprising a switch for controlling the power circuit, an electromagnet for controlling said switch, a power controller for closing the circuit of said magnet in the off position, a second switch for controlling the circuit of said magnet, a second electromagnet for operating said switch, means for effecting an emergency application of the brakes, and means operative upon effecting an emergency application of the brakes for opening the circuit of said second electromagnet.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 5th day of July, 1929.

JOHN B. GROSSWEGE. 

